Koala habitat clearing fears put housing work on hold

Fri Jul 12 11:08:46 EST 2013

The Queensland Environment Minister says the department is investigating if koala habitat on the Fraser Coast has been cleared without a proper permit.

Conservationists have been protesting at a housing construction site at Henderson Park in Tinana this week after it was alleged bushland was being cleared without a wildlife spotter - a condition of the development.

Andrew Powell says he is working with the Fraser Coast Regional Council to resolve the matter.

"We want to make sure that the landowner has had the correct approval both at the council level and at a state level if necessary, and that he or she has abided by those," he said.

"Developments are permitted to occur in areas where koalas reside but there are specific laws as to how that development can proceed.

"Depending on the investigation and the kind of approvals that were given, there may be the need to proceed in a different fashion."

Mr Powell says the development has been put on hold.

"We are investigating, we have met with the proponent and the landowner has advised us that he's stopped clearing at the site pending resolution of the issue," he said.

"We're going to be working with the Fraser Coast Regional Council to investigate this matter and we'll happily keep the community posted."